Margaret

Pearl — a girl name of Greek origin

GenderGirl
OriginGreek
MeaningPearl
PronunciationMAR-guh-ret

Popularity of Margaret in the United States

#112Rank in 2025
2,436Births in 2025
#3 in 1891Peak Popularity
→ Stable10-Year Trend

Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Meaning & Origin of Margaret

Margaret derives from the Greek "margarites," meaning "pearl," via the Latin "Margarita." It has been one of the most enduring and prestigious names in the English-speaking world for nearly a thousand years, borne by numerous queens and saints, including Saint Margaret of Scotland and Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female Prime Minister. The name has produced an unusually rich array of nicknames across languages — Maggie, Meg, Peggy, Daisy, Greta, and Rita among them — reflecting its long and widespread use. Margaret remains a dignified, classic choice that balances royal gravitas with warm familiarity.

Margaret Around the World

Margaret is used in 2 languages worldwide, with 35+ international variants.

Languages
EnglishDutch
Details

TypeFemale given name

International Variants
MargretGerman
Maisie
MaggieEnglish
MargueriteFrench
MargotDutch
MargitDutch
Mairead
MargaritaSpanish
Margaretamultiple languages
MargaridaPortuguese
MarietaPolish
Marijeta
MargheritaItalian
MargrjetIcelandic
Margalida
Marc'harid
MarjetkaSlovene
Marjetica
MargitaLatvian
MarjetaSlovene
MargareteGerman
MarkétaCzech
MargrétIcelandic
MargreteIcelandic
MałgorzataPolish
MargoDutch
MargedWelsh
Margreth
Margrethe
MargarethaDutch
Margarett
MargetEstonian
MarharytaUkrainian
KerribadShelta
KerribadhShelta

Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.

Nicknames for Margaret

MaggieMegPeggyDaisy

Famous People Named Margaret

  • Margaret Thatcher — first female British Prime Minister
  • Princess Margaret — younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II
  • Margaret Atwood — Canadian novelist and poet

Similar Names to Margaret

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Sibling Name Ideas for Margaret

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Margaret mean?

Margaret is a girl name of Greek origin meaning "Pearl." Margaret derives from the Greek "margarites," meaning "pearl," via the Latin "Margarita." It has been one of the most enduring and prestigious names in the English-speaking world for nearly a thousand years, borne by numerous queens and saints, including Saint Margaret of Scotland and Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female Prime Minister.

How do you pronounce Margaret?

Margaret is pronounced MAR-guh-ret. Common variations include Marguerite, Margarita, Margarethe.

Is Margaret a girl name?

Yes, Margaret is traditionally a girl name. Popular nicknames include Maggie, Meg, Peggy, Daisy.

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